Connect with us

As The World Turns

17

Creators Meg Kelly and Joseph Craig Share Details On New Online Destination SudsvilleTV.com!

Courtesy/Conklin-Intracom

Courtesy/SudsvilleTV.com

Over the last several years, soap opera fans have witnessed a few attempts at creating a new online destination where they are offered a mix of the old and the new, familiar fan favorites, and exciting new programming all rolled into one go by the wayside.

Now comes exciting news this week that formidable, and talented writer Meg Kelly (formerly co-head writer of Days of our Lives and As the World Turns) and marketing entertainment guru, and Broadway producer Joseph Craig, have formed a very intriguing and exciting partnership together with Conklin-Intracom.  Upcoming digital destination: SudsvilleTV.com.

SudsvilleTV.com is set to offer up an original soap, an original soap opera talk show and game show, and ancillary programming that fits solidly with the demographic of the die-hard, passionate, and fun-loving soap fans.  We caught up with the Meg and Joseph to get some insight, Intel, and to get their thoughts on their hopes, their programming, and what users that come to the Sudsville TV experience might find!

On Wednesday, Sudsville TV.com launched its sign-up page, where fans will be able to have access to more direct detail on the programming, its stars, and the network’s progress.  Here’s what Meg and Joseph shared with On-Air On-Soaps about their new venture!

Meg, fill us in on your original soap, and the concept behind it?

Courtesy/MKelly

MEG:  First, I want to say that I love story, and story structure.  There are all kind of soaps like that, and they are all family-driven dramas, and so I just started from that premise.  We are going to tell this in 40 episodes, with the first season being 10 episodes with a season ending cliff-hanger.  We’re going to have a beginning, middle, and end to the story.  We have some great daytime and nighttime actors who love the scripts, and are very interested in becoming involved and being part of the series, and we will be giving out casting announcements in the near future.  The basic premise is to tell dramatic stories about two families, and have a lot of great plot twists.  We all love characters that we love to watch going through hell, and then coming out ahead.  This story is about two families, who are living in which once was a New England fishing village, now reincarnated as a summer vacation destination.

Joseph, how did you use your marketing and audience expertise to create SudsvilleTV.com?

JOSEPH:  I have used all the information that I gathered from Nielsen, and my own company, and I have used that information for creating the shows for this audience.  Meg created the big soap, which is brilliant, and I created the 16 ancillary shows we are building around it.  The soap opera audience is also a very valuable and often under-appreciated group that we want to deliver great programming to.

What are your plans on how you are going to shoot the soap?  Exteriors and interiors … on a set …?  And where?

JOSEPH: We are not shooting web-style at all.  It’s being shot like nighttime television.

MEG: We are looking to shoot in the Tri-State area of New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey.

Courtesy/JCraig

What are the plans for the roll-out of the programming on the SudsvilleTV.com platform?

JOSEPH: The ancillary shows are building up to Meg’s soap opera, and just like Netflix and Hulu, we’re programming it that if you would like to tune in on Monday night – two of our shows will be released – one from 8:00-8:30PM, and one from 8:30PM-9PM. However, once it’s on the platform, you can watch it anytime you want, but we are programming Monday through Thursday evenings – two shows – two half hours shows. The soap opera talk show A.M. Sudsville is being released every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9am. 

Tell me more about A.M. Sudsville!

JOSEPH: A.M. Sudsville has three hosts, and they are talking about what happened on the latest daytime and primetime soaps, and what the latest positive gossip is, and who wore what where.  They discuss what is coming up on the soaps, show clips, and they will do interviews with soap stars, etc.  It’s that normal mix you would expect from a Kathie Lee and Hoda of The Today Show.  These hosts are not snarky, and their chemistry is through the roof.  It will be produced like every other talk show out there, but with this soap opera bent to it.

Your partnership with Conklin-Intracom  … how did that come about?

Courtesy/Conklin-Intracom

JOSEPH: Sudsville TV is going to be a state of the art platform that is being built right now as we speak.  Conklin-Intracom are awesome partners.  They came to us, and they said, “We’re looking for content,” and it just so happened that at the same time we were looking at building something like this.  The timing could not have been more perfect.

Meg, what about the other shows on the platform?  Will you be writing those as well?

MEG:  I am going to be writing them with a mix of Emmy-winning writers from primetime and daytime. The majority are daytime writers, and it’s a small, but very talented team!

What can you tell me about what kind of shows fans can expect to see?

JOSEPH:  There will be a comedic-reality show, and there is another reality series which has stories that are amazing. There is a soap opera game show called The Amazing Soap Trivia Challenge, which will be hosted by former Guiding Light star Michael O’Leary (Rick), which is a trivia show, and then there is a second game show in a different vein.

What are you looking at as your premiere date?  When do you think realistically, if all goes as planned, the shows might start to live on the platform?  

Courtesy/PGP

MEG:  We are looking to launch with the ancillary programming in late fall.  We want people to sign-up through our website, which goes live today.  We encourage people to come and sign-up.  We will let them know what is going on through previews, promos, updates, and news, as we release names of our actors and writers who are joining the team, and shout-outs from the set as we lead to the launch of the platform.  The fans will not be in the dark, and they will not be guessing.  They will know exactly what is going on.  This is being built out in a very organic way with the fans.  They are a part of this.  We have a facebook page and Twitter (@sudsvilletv) page we launched, as well!  This concept in our head is really a neighborhood, because there are all these daytime fans that go to different places – but we are saying there will be one place with all of these people you love, and all these news sources you are familiar with.  We will be connected with them, and they will be connected with us, and let’s just create this world.  It’s like, “Come in and play,” rather that just putting up content to watch.  We are also trying to create an experience for them, and not only for them to see original content, but for them to participate with it.

A bit about you two:  Meg, you have been co-head writer for Days of our Lives and As the World Turns working alongside soap scribe and novelist Hogan Sheffer.  What was your takeaway from that?

MEG:  I came away from the whole experience of liking the soap audience, and they are fun, and they are really rewarding to write for.

Courtesy/SudsvilleTV.com

Joseph, are you a fan of the soap genre?  I am sure the fans want to know! (Laughs)

JOSEPH: Such a huge fan!  My grandma used to watch The Young and the Restless, and you had to be quiet when the show came on! (Laughs)  My soap viewing goes way back to the old days of Y&R when Jamie Lyn Bauer (Laurie), Thom Bierdz (Phillip IV), and David Hasselhoff (Snapper) were on the show!  Y&R was my whole thing from start to finish!  That show was so well-plotted.

So, what do you think about the concept of SudsvilleTV.com?  Excited to hear a new soap, new soap talk show, and game show are on the way?  What do you think about Meg and Joseph’s comments, and their plans as the platform heads towards an exciting launch towards the end of 2015?  Share your thoughts below, and make sure to sign-up to get up-to-the-minute updates on the latest from SudsvilleTV.com!

Leave a comment | 17 Comments

17 Comments
oldest
newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

i’ll give it a try. I just hope those 10 episodes are longer than 15 minutes. I hope the episodes are at least an hour long. Also, I hope to stream the episodes with googletv.

Be still my heart!! Love the premise! Could it be that someone finally got it right? I am definitely going to follow their progress.

ok-
”’ We are going to tell this in 40 episodes, with the first season being 10 episodes with a season ending cliff-hanger.”’
at;
” programming Monday through Thursday evenings – two shows – two half hours shows. ”

then the series will be 10 shows during a week would be 5 days, first season..

hey my math is ballpark.. lol ( I will binge watch ..

Only su0000

Sounds interesting. Since they will be shooting in the Tri-State area, I’d love to see Erika Slezak, Robin Strasser, Robert S. Woods (I know he’s happily retired but I’d love to get him back to work), Hillary B. Smith, Jerry ver Dorn and Florencia Lozano.

I’m excited! And I’ve signed up! M y only question is WHERE will we find it within the different cable companies line-up or channels?

This a online network. No cable network needed.

Happy to hear that the taping will take place in the NY/NJ/CT area. It’s a sin that no daytime dramas are left which tape in the Northeast, with so many people left unemployed and forced to travel or relocate west in order to work. As for the original drama, I like that they have some structure around it. It has 40 episodes, tops, with 10 episodes for the first season. If Prospect Park had been more practical, and had written stories in arc form, as so many of us had suggested, they might possibly have had more success. It also appears that having a former soap writer with years of experience in daytime drama involved in the online platform is a big step forward, compared to the inexperience of Prospect Park’s businessmen who were very naïve about a lot of things. I’m willing to try this, and I hope that many of my favorites from ATWT, AMC, OLTL and GL who still live in the Northeast will sign up on this show, and that many of the crew members who lost jobs will get another chance to work for soaps.

This is a great idea! Very excited about this. Sounds like unlike other similar proposed ventures this one really has it together. Can’t wait to watch their programs!

Anytime someone steps up and tries to keep soap operas relevant, I’m in!

I feel the same way Timmm. Their hope for the genre is keeping my hope alive. My fingers and toes are crossed that this venture will succeed.

I’m really looking forward to this! I wish them all the best!

So it’s not a soap opera but a telenovela with a beginning, a middle and an end. And yet most telenovelas are around 150 episodes. As much as I’m excited and delighted at this news, must say there’s an element of disappointment at the structure of it. The British and Australian soaps (in fact most European and African ones too) are all half hour soaps filmed like nightime shows like Meg says this will be. They have 50-70 cast members, of all ages and ethnicities, and are fast moving with outside filming and permanent sets. This sounds like what she’s looking to achieve and maybe if this is succesful, then we’ll see longer shows. The name YEAR ROUNDERS isn’t really appropriate either is it?

But this is a new venture and more than likely don’t have the budget for a 150 episode telenovela. Doing it this way gives the online network more time to get to know there audiences tastes, and likes and dislikes.

Well I think this is fabulous and of course wish you so much success which I am sure you will have and if Beth needs a mother, there is one right here.!! BRAVO

Since my comment is “awaiting moderation” I am trying it again…Well I think this is fabulous and of course wish you so much success which I am sure you will have and if Beth needs a mother, there is one right here.!! BRAVO

I love daytime television. And it’s so true soap opera fans are really under appreciated. I’m really looking forward to this and wish you all the best. One thing, are you open to ideas for new soaps?

As The World Turns

2024 Golden Globes: Justin Hartley and Amanda Seyfried Among First Round of Presenters

The 2024 awards season truly gets underway this Sunday night ,January 7th on CBS with the presentation of the 81st annual Golden Globe Awards honoring the best in motion picture and television as deemed by the voters of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA).

The ceremony will be broadcast live and will air beginning at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST, from the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The ceremony will also be available on the CBS app and will stream on Paramount+. (Note, however, only Paramount+ subscribers who have Showtime can stream the event live; others can watch the show the next day.)

The first round of presenters was revealed on Wednesday and two soap opera alums are on the list including Justin Hartley (ex-This Is Us, The Young and the Restless, Revenge, Passions) and Amanda Seyfried (ex-Lucy, As the World Turns and ex-Joni Stafford, All My Children).

Photo: HFPA

Joining Justin and Amanda as presenters are: Angela Bassett, Will Ferrell, Michelle Yeoh,George Lopez, Julia Garner, Justin Hartley, Gabriel Macht and Patrick J. Adams.  Previously, Jo Koy was named host for the telecast.

The Golden Globes are back on CBS for the first time since 1982. In addition, Dick Clark Productions is back after years away as the longtime Globes producers.

To review the nominees click here.

So, looking forward to the Golden Globes and seeing Justin and Amanda? Comment below.

Continue Reading

As The World Turns

Richard Roundtree, ‘Generations’, ‘ATWT” and ‘Shaft’ Star, Dead at 81

Motion picture and television leading man, Richard Roundtree, has passed away at the age of 81. The actor, best known for his role in the iconic film Shaft, and its sequels, died from complications from pancreatic cancer on October 24th in his home in Los Angeles.

In a statement, Roundtree’s manager, Patrick McMinn shared, “Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African American leading men in film. The impact he had on the industry cannot be overstated.”

During his extensive credits and career, Roundtree made two stops to two daytime soap operas. In 1990 till 1991, Roundtree played Dr. Daniel Ruebens on the defunct NBC soap opera Generations. He later appeared on As the World Turns from 2002-2003, taking on the role of Oliver Travers, the father to T. Marshall Travers played by Lamman Rucker.

Photo: NBC

Roundtree’s leading lady on Generations, Jonelle Allen took to her Facebook upon learning the news of the death of her former castmate and friend, expressing: “My Leading Man on Generations. I Am Very Sad. My Condolences To Your Family. Dearest Richard Roundtree.”

In a subsequent post, Allen shared a photo of their Generations’ characters, Daniel and Doreen about to lip-lock. Jonelle stated, “In the scene with him I kept thinking: ‘Shaft is about to kiss ME!!!’ Thank You.”

On Generations, Roundtree’s character of Daniel Reubens was a brilliant doctor, who was accused of killing someone by causing an explosion at a lab in 1974. He and his daughter, Maya, then went “underground” for the next 15 years. Maya was played by Viveca A. Fox.

Photo: AP

Fox, honored her former on-screen soap father with an Instagram post upon learning of his death. Vivica wrote: “GM Dawlings! My heart is sad this morning as late last night I learned that LEGEND Actor @officialrichardroundtree had passed. I had the blessing of working with Richard on alot of 1st in my acting career! He played my Dad on the soap opera #Generation‘s TV show #90210BeverlyHills Mr Roundtree thank u for your AMAZING GIFTS! U will truly be missed as u were the 1st African American Action Star #SHAFT I’ll never forget the time u stood for ME when a director was being a jerk to me! I’ll miss your smile, jokes, laughs & hugs! REST EASY KING! U DID WELL. #Classic #LEGEND #LeadingMan #Actor #SuperStar #Respect #RestInPeace”

Richard was also known for his roles in Roots and the Brad Pitt thriller Se7en. On television, Roundtree appeared on: Murder, She Wrote, A Different World, Beauty and the Beast, 21 Jump Street, MacGyver, Beverly Hill 90210, L.A. Law, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Alias, Desperate Housewives, Heroes, Grey’s Anatomy, Chicago Fire, and Private Practice and many more.

Share your condolences on the passing of Richard Roundtree via the comment section below.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Vivica A Fox (@msvfox)

Continue Reading

As The World Turns

Soap Alum John Wesley Shipp Shares Health Update

John Wesley Shipp, best known to daytime fans for his roles on As the World Turns, Guiding Light, One Life to Live et al, and primetime fans for his role in The Flash, shared a heartfelt health update via his Instagram.

While Shipp did not go into specifics, he did say he underwent surgery earlier in September for an urgent medical issue.

In his post, accompanying by his photo, John expressed: “Hello out there! Friends and contacts have written recently, like, “where are you? are you ok?” Well, here’s the deal: I had surgery early this month for a health issue that had to be dealt with immediately. All went well, but I’ve had to postpone a theatre production and personal appearances as the recoup will take some weeks. I do read and appreciate what you share with me, that you entrust me with your thoughts and feelings. You are ever on my mind and in my heart, and I look forward to getting active and out there again as soon as possible. Until then, remember to play nice, be kind, and stay engaged! Our futures depend on it.”

Photo: JPI

John’s soap resume is quite impressive having portrayed: Dr. Kelly Nelson/Victor Laszlo on Guiding Light, Doug Cummings on As the World Turns, Martin Ellis on Santa Barbara, Carter Jones on All My Children and Eddie Ford on One Life to Live. Shipp won two Daytime Emmys along the way.

More recently, John has appeared in primetime’s, Arrow, The Flash, Stargirl and countless other TV appearances.

Share your well-wishes for a speedy recovering to John via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Kim Coles as Whitley

Days of our Lives

Airdate: 7-24- 2023

Popular